sweet lies | rafe cameron

39

"Rafe will probably be there" Jj's voice surprised me from behind as I was putting my makeup in the bathroom.
"Yeah... probably" I slowly turned around to face him and put my mascara back.

"Are you planning on...talking to him?" my brother leaned against the door and I glanced down at the floor. "I don't know Jj. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to see me" "If he loves you, he will want to see you" my brother ran his hand through his hair and I signed. "I don't have to talk to him. I don't wanna lose you again" I smiled and he shook his head. "Bullshit Jules" he snapped, "listen, none of us was thrilled about your certain relationship with...him. Hell I'm not sure I'm still okay with it" he went on, "but you're old enough to do your own decisions. What a crappy brother would I be if I didn't let my sister to be happy and in love" he crossed his arms and I stared at him. Not knowing what to say.

"Jj..." "I'm serious sister-" "don't call me that" I cringed and chuckled. "Well I'm serious Julienne. I want you to be happy and if that asshole makes you happy...then be happy with him. That doesn't mean I will ever forgive him or try to befriend him..." "I get it, I don't want you to" I nodded.

"My point is, go. Go to that stupid Kook party and be happy. You deserve it" he grinned and I laughed. "Jj Maybank. Who would've thought you could be so understanding" I mocked and he gently punched me in the arm. "I am understanding, now shut up and go!" he smirked and I smiled.

"Thank you Jayj"

I quickly packed my stuff left for Figure 8.

My thoughts were all over the place as I drove through the streets of Kildare island. I couldn't wait to see him yet I was so afraid to see him. What if he really doesn't want to see me. I mean it's been a week now. We haven't talked one single time. We haven't seen each other or anything. He moved on. No he couldn't. What if he did though.

When I arrived I parked Luke's truck in the street and made my way to the Cameron residence. "Here goes nothing" I smirked as I walked to the front porch. There was already a bunch of people outside the house. The music was loud and colorful lights were hanging all around the Cameron's garden.

"Jules!" Sarah ran to me as she saw me enter the house. She looked stunning. She was wearing this white sundress and had her hair down.

"Sarah! Happy birthday! I know technically it's tomorrow but yeah, happy birthday" I hugged her and she grinned. "Thank you" she winked and handed me a cup of...something.

"What's this?" I raised one shoulder examining the drink. "Coke and rum" "you favorite" I smiled at drank a big sip. "I need that" "Rough day?" "rough week" I corrected her.

"Come, let's have fun" she made me follow her to the backyard. There had to be at least 50 teen Kooks here. The place was crowded.
But not Rafe. A thousands Kooks but Rafe was not here. At least I couldn't find him.

"Are you looking for Rafe?" I almost stopped breathing as Sarah cut me from scanning the Cameron property for his face.
My eyes widened and I stared at her mouth open.

"W-What" I laughed. "I know" her smile disappeared and I'm pretty sure my legs turned to stone in that moment.

"You know?" I articulated slowly. "Yeah I know" "How...I- I can explain" I was not sober enough for this. I already drank two cups of that rum and coke of hers. "Come with me" she grabbed my arm and dragged me to two long chairs where we sat.

"When-" "a week ago" she replied quickly. "And you're not upset?" "I was. For a week. I processed it, well mostly I realized how Rafe is miserable without you" she said calmly.

"I'm sorry Sarah, I wanted to tell you but it was so sudden so...unexpected" "I know, it's fine" she squeezed my hand. "I forgive you. I just hope you know what an ass he is" "I know, trust me. John B and the others have been telling me that all week" I grinned.
"My point is, I was angry. At him, at you... But he went off the rails again. Drug use, girls..." I raised my eyebrows at that.
"What I mean. He is miserable, he is miserable without you" she said with the most genuine smile.

"He's here somewhere" she added. "If you wonder"

"Let's go drink now" I got up and we went to get more alcohol. I couldn't think straight. Was he really miserable. I had to see him. I had to.

Meanwhile we danced. We drank. And we danced again. And I felt happy. Almost completely.

As we moved around the dance floor to some stupid pop music and the alcohol was pleasingly hitting me I got interrupted. My whole body stilled as I heard a laugh. His laugh.

My body slowly turned around and I saw him. Something caused a tickling reaction inside my body. There he was, standing so perfectly beautifully on the porch with Kelce and Topper. He looked different, his hair was buzzed and- my heart broke. His arm was around Sofia. I could feel a sharp pain in my chest. My legs were shaking now and I could feel my eyes watering.

Remember what Sarah told you.
Remember what Sarah told you.
Remember what Sarah told you.

"Jules-" "I have to get out of here" I said to Sarah and left.